The Australian Bureau of Statistics says consumer prices were 4.3% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, up from 4.0% in August. The CPI rose 0.8% during September, according to figures released on 28 October.

Housing was the largest contributor to annual inflation, with housing prices up 5.2% over the year. Transport prices rose 8.7% over the year. The ABS said automotive fuel prices increased 9.4% in September alone.

The ABS reported annual trimmed mean inflation of 3.6% in September, compared with a revised 3.5% in August. These are national figures; the release does not provide a Cairns-specific inflation rate.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 28 October 2026: https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/cpi-rose-43-year-september-2026

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